interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK I: NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

Who: Every single one of you.
What: Interstellar's first log, and an awards ceremony for jerks you don't know!
When: October 2nd.
Where: A fancy ballroom in neutral territory.
Warnings: Could be anything.

“Oh, it's been getting so hard,
Living with the things you do to me;
My dreams are getting so strange,
I'd like to tell you everything I see.

I see a man at the back as a matter of fact,
His eyes are as red as the sun.
And the girl in the corner lets no one ignore her,
‘Cause she thinks she's the passionate one.”

☆NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

It’s the seasonal Vista Music Industry Award Gala, and attendance is mandatory. You and your band have been touring non-stop for the last two months, hitting locations all over Americana, performing and doing press appearances. This event is set less than three days after your return home, but it’s been made clear that further rest will have to wait.

Though Halloween technically isn’t until the end of the month, the gathering has a formal masquerade theme - masquerade that is, not costume. Dressing up as a mummy or a clown isn’t going to cut it. Themed formal wear is expected, and your image consultants have been pestering you about your choices for the last 48 hours. Whether or not you listen to them, how you dress feels incredibly important. At least if you let the consultants fuss over you, you can be sure it’ll be something press friendly.

Various awards are being given out, but none of them are for you. The media in attendance are starting to bubble with enthusiasm for the ‘rising stars’ of the industry, however, so this could be a moment to shine. Labels besides Pride and Virgo are also in attendance, but who cares about those guys? They seem to be a mere footnote in comparison to the buzz around the heavy hitters.

There’s food, alcohol, dancing, stage performances by notable musicians of both Pride and Virgo, and then the formal awards ceremony in the evening. Yes, you are expected to sit through them. Do try to look like you’re interested, the media is watching.

☆PRIDE RECORDS

Lesedi Santiago doesn’t always make a big deal about introductions - or at least, that’s the impression you get when she just kind of shows up in your group limousine unannounced on your way over to the party. Deep into pre-drinking a bottle of gin, she doesn’t talk with you so much as talk at you, regaling your band with weird stories about the industry while completely ignoring the fact that her presence is more intimidating than comforting. You’re not sure if it’s intentional, but at least she’s a good story teller - her speech doesn’t seem to be at all affected by the quantity of booze she’s already consumed, which is kind of bizarre if you think about it too deeply. You’re not inclined to.

You’ve all met her before, here and there, in a series of bombastic encounters. Her interest in pontificating at you and the other new label inductees seems to fade immediately upon entering the ballroom, as she quickly becomes distracted with more high profile guests. Her attention fixates on Edward Blanch from time to time, but she declines to address him specifically. If you want to get some of her one on one attention, now could be your chance - just make sure you go in ready. Handling Miss Santiago can be a bit of an...experience.

Veteran Pride members are in attendance as well, but most of them are not very good company. Their reactions vary from ‘frat members greeting a new pledge’ to ‘disinterested shoulder pats’, and ultimately it will seem your attention is better received by the other newbies. Maybe even the Virgo Entertainment stiffs, at that.

Because, of course, that crew is here as well. Lesedi suggested you “show them who’s boss,” but you’re not necessarily sure what that’s supposed to mean.

☆VIRGO ENTERTAINMENT

Tonight's event is one of considerable speculation: it marks Edward Blanche's first public appearance after a considerable period of isolation. He's a private man, a mystery and an enigma to the public, and that just seems to make him all the more intoxicating. The Managers and security staff are out in full force, and if you know what's good for you, you'll be dressed to the nines. Your image consultant will be almost desperate to do the work for you, like they're afraid of what might happen to their careers if you embarass the label on their watch.

Personal style is important, but everything in your gut tells you that your nose has got to be clean this time, or trouble is sure to follow. For many of you, this will be the first time you'll ever have seen your CEO in person, and as such, the first time he'll encounter you one on one. If you're going to brown nose, now's the time - but make sure you choose your words carefully, and don't waste his time. Blanche has little patience for it.

There are veteran musicians of the Virgo label in attendance, ones with dozens of awards to their names, but they seem to have little interest in speaking with you. Some are politely avoidant while others and just rudely dismissive, but none of them really give an answer for why they just aren't interested. It's not totally surprising - Virgo's interior politics are harsh.

Other notable guests include Lesedi Santiago and the rest of the Pride Records entourage. Though you may have acquaintances, or even friends, who have been snatched up by the other side, it's even more likely that you have enemies. Everything about your Virgo upbringing makes you feel like you should hold a certain contempt for their ilk - people in this label think of them as classless at best and crass maniacs at worst.

Did you hear about that disgusting stunt one of their front runners pulled on stage last week? Revolting.

☆THE TWIST

Some of you may remember strange events from the past few weeks. Misplaced objects, malfunctioning technology, nostalgic phantom music - it feels a lot like the last portion of your tour was haunted. Now that you're back home, all of that seems to be flaring up again. You can practically feel the otherworldly presences passing through the room, even if nobody besides your tour group seems to notice. Even though they aren't knocking glasses off tables and flickering lights like last time, their presence is somehow even more apparent.

Your programming makes one thing clear: don't make a public fuss about this. Ignore it, everything's fine. The second part only goes so far. Especially when, at some point or another, you'll be shaken by the feeling that one of these ghosts has walked straight through you. For that moment, you feel like a totally different person. At this point, one of four memory regain effects will occur:

► REMEMBER LOVE: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to one of the greatest loves of your past life. Can be either romantic, platonic, or familial. It must be about a person and not a place or activity, though.

► REMEMBER DUTY: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you held a great sense of duty or loyalty to in your past life. It could be a person, a cause, a country, or anything in between.

► REMEMBER PASSION: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you were passionate about to the point of anger or determination in your past life. Not enjoyment of, but something that drove you, or one of the things most likely to make you throw a punch.

► REMEMBER HOPE: You remember a scene, image, or concept related to something you dreamed about making come true, or an important hope you had for the future in your past life. This covers any kind of positive goal or ambition for you or the world around you.

The feeling will quickly fade, leaving you as the person you've been made into once again. Only now you have something new: the first fragment of a life you can't remember having lived. The CEOs and managers will react to this eventually, and you're probably going to get sent home early. This, however, will be covered with a top level further into the log.

“I'm reaching out for something,
Touching nothing's all I ever do.
Oh, I softly call you over;
When you appear there's nothing left of you.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yes. Of course! [He shuffles to the nearest empty seat and plops down, nearly spilling the water in hand on his lap. He laughs at himself and gives Ivan his best reassuring smile.]

There I go getting lost in my thoughts again!

Thank you. [He thanks Ivan again and starts to sip from the glass.]

[ Pulling up another chair, Ivan takes a seat next to him. Then, he makes a little motion to the Doctor's tie in a "Your tie's a mess" manner. With the importance the managers and image consultants gave on their appearance, he worries about Band Dad getting into trouble. ]

Did you dance too hard?

[ They did just get off a tour and had to go here. Energy isn't in great supply. ]

That's possible. I did jump around for about half an hour just a little while ago. [That's not too unlike some of his performances though so long as he was free to jump during the particular song set.]

Before that was ballroom dancing. I danced with a lot of people.

[Doctor looks down at his tie and fixes it.] I forgot I was wearing one of these!

You did seem a little out of it when I came over. You should sit out a few songs.

[ No need to collapse on the dancefloor. Those are the kinds of headlines that would be bad for the band. Who wants to hear about father figures passing out on the floor or acting like a Pride Record artist in front of the managers and CEO of Virgo Entertainment?

But Ivan's also worried for the Doctor's well being. Both physically and keeping in Virgo's good graces. ]

Is there anything I can get you?

Yes! Actually... Do you have a pad or something I can write on? I've been in need of a writing surface all night! Stylists do a fine job distracting a man from what he normally puts in his pockets.

Will my phone work?

[ He pulls out his smart phone from his sleeve pocket and opens up a basic drawing app for the Doctor to use. He also has a note taking app as well if that's more along the lines of what he needs. ]

That'll do for now. [He starts scribbling away on the phone screen as soon as it reaches his hands.]

Remind me later to rewrite this all on paper. I don't trust my own phone not to break and lose all my notes. And there's something very nice about solid touchable books.

I'd use another cloth napkin if I could find one. [He taps one of his waist pockets.]

[ Despite having internet troubles, Ivan's phone has been an important item this gala. It's practically it's own band member. ]

I'll send your phone a copy, and we can print it out.

[ Ivan can see the value of writing on paper, even if he is attached to his phone most of the time. ]

Right. We can do that. [Doctor gives the side of his face a slap. Really what was with this slow mind? He's sharper than this!]

Let's see... Blue box... and a girl.

What about you Ivan? Any sparks of inspiration running through your veins tonight?

[ A blue box and a girl... that could be a song about anything. ]

I think I only have the line "a flower touched by frost."

[ Which is to say that he doesn't really have anything. He's been playing cellphone games with Krieg or trying to avoid being social and failing in some fashion. Luckily, he hasn't sent anything major or expensive crashing to the ground from his clumsy nature. ]

Is that anything you can use?

It's poetic enough to be in a song. I think our fans would like a song that mentions flowers- appropriate for our band and all. Does it mean anything to you? Represent a feeling? Or a place or person?

[ Ivan pauses as he recalls the conversation that brought it up. Poor Meril having to deal with those huge wings on her back while keeping up her ice queen act. ]

It just came to mind when I was talking to Meril earlier, and she mentioned the possibility of Rei becoming an ice queen if the label desired it. There's really no deeper meaning.

[Doctor tilts his head back and laughs.]

Not the source I was expecting whatsoever! They had better not do that to Rei. Can you imagine? I don't know how Meril puts up with it.

[ But the point had been that if the label desired it, Rei would have no choice. Well, no choice except to leave, perhaps.

Ivan cracks a smile at the Doctor's laughter, but it's near impossible to see. It's easier to hear the small breathless laugh Ivan gives. ]

I don't either, but I know Meril has the support of her bandmates.

[ Like Rei would have if she ever had to face such a fate. ]

Edited (Oops, misread something) 2015-10-22 06:00 (UTC)

I like to think our fans see us as warmer people rather than colder. An ice queen would look out of place with us, don't you think? We're flowers not snowmen.

I agree. I think the label would do better to focus that image on another band.

[ Oddly enough, there are such things called frost flowers, but that isn't important. Their band knows best, well, Angel does. ]

But, it's nothing that's going to happen. Meril was just bring up the possibility.

Good. If they were really talking about doing that to Rei I'd go have a word with Mr. Blanche right now.

[You know he would.]

I do wish there was something we could do to relieve Meril though. Maybe we can chase away some of the creepy people who bother her online.

[ If Luce didn't knock that idea out of Blanche's head first, Ivan knows that Doctor would be right there. Ivan would have to get in line. (Unless he regains a certain memory, and then he'd be conflicted as hell.) ]

I can police my own media sites, but elsewhere will be tough.

☆TRACK I: NOTHING LEFT OF YOU

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